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  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style - Bar
    2. Style - Subwoofer
    3. Style - Satellites
    4. Dimensions - Bar
    5. Dimensions - Subwoofer
    6. Dimensions - Satellites
    7. Mounting
    8. Build Quality
    9. In The Box
  5. Sound
    1. Stereo Frequency Response
    2. Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    3. Stereo Soundstage
    4. Stereo Dynamics
    5. Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
    6. Center
    7. Surround 5.1
    8. Height (Atmos)
    9. Sound Enhancement Features
  6. Connectivity
    1. Inputs/Outputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
    3. Audio Format Support: HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support: Optical
    5. Latency
    6. Video Passthrough To TV
    7. Wireless Playback
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch vs JBL Bar 9.1

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
JBL Bar 9.1

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Jan 11, 2024 05:16 PM

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Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Sep 05, 2024 07:07 PM

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Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Picture
JBL Bar 9.1 Picture
Channels
9.2.4
Channels
5.1.4

Variants

  • Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch (Black)
  • Bar 9.1 (Black)

Review

See Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch review

See JBL Bar 9.1 review

0
0

Our Verdict

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch

JBL Bar 9.1

The JBL Bar 9.1 is a better soundbar than the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch. The JBL offers a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some listeners may prefer. It has a better soundstage and more wireless connectivity options. Also, it comes with a room correction feature. However, some listeners may prefer that the Nakamichi comes with two subs and four satellites, and it has a better surrounds performance.

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Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
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Bar 9.1
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Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
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Bar 9.1
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Notice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our soundbars test methodology.

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.4
7.9

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

6.9
8.1

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
No

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Style photo - bar
JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - bar

Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Style photo - sub
JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported

Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Style photo - satellites
JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Partial, wired to wireless sub
Yes

Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Dimensions photo - bar
JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

45.6" (115.8 cm)
34.8" (88.4 cm)

Height  

3.5" (9.0 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)

Depth  

3.1" (8.0 cm)
4.7" (11.9 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Dimensions photo - sub
JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

12.4" (31.6 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)

Height  

20.3" (51.6 cm)
17.3" (44.0 cm)

Depth  

13.6" (34.5 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Dimensions photo - satellites
JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

8.0" (20.4 cm)
6.8" (17.3 cm)

Height  

5.6" (14.3 cm)
2.2" (5.6 cm)

Depth  

4.8" (12.1 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)

Show text

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Bar Mounting Holes
JBL Bar 9.1 Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Satellite Mounting Holes
JBL Bar 9.1 Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes
Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

Yes
Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Yes
Yes

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.0

Build quality photo  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Build quality photo
JBL Bar 9.1 Build quality photo

Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch In The Box photo
JBL Bar 9.1 In The Box photo

Show text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

6.9
8.1

Stereo Setup  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Stereo Setup
JBL Bar 9.1 Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Frequency Response Small  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Tested Preset 
 

DSP Off
Standard

Slope 
 

0.07
-0.31

Std. Err. 
 

3.62 dB
2.63 dB

Channels 
 

9.2.4
5.1.4

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

48.3 Hz
33.6 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

7.1 kHz
18.8 kHz

Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

6.9
8.1

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

DSP Off
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

5
3

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

5
N/A

Slope 
 

0.07
-0.31

Std. Err. 
 

3.62 dB
2.63 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

48.3 Hz
33.6 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

7.1 kHz
18.8 kHz

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.5
8.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

1.65 dB
3.22 dB

Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.7
7.8

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

101.1 dB SPL
95.0 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

3.61 dB
2.10 dB

Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.5
8.2

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.56
0.22

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.76
1.73

Show text

Center 
 

8.4
8.6

Center Setup  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Center Setup
JBL Bar 9.1 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-1.06
-0.03

Std. Err. 
 

3.84 dB
2.62 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

101.5 dB SPL
94.3 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.41
0.29

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.66
1.60

Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

8.3
7.7

Surround Setup  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Surround Setup
JBL Bar 9.1 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.61
-0.38

Std. Err. 
 

4.24 dB
4.10 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

102.3 dB SPL
97.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.14
0.23

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.90
1.79

7.1 Rears 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.4
6.1

Height Setup  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Height Setup
JBL Bar 9.1 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Side Firing, Front Firing Bar and Up Firing Satellites)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Slope 
 

-0.89
-1.44

Std. Err. 
 

5.04 dB
5.40 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

100.2 dB SPL
89.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

2.18
1.04

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.95
0.63

Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

6.8
6.2

Room Correction 
 

No
Yes

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
No

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Bass Adjustment 
 

No
No

Treble Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

EQ 
 

Presets
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
JBL Bar 9.1 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
JBL Bar 9.1 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)

HDMI Out 
 

1 (shared)
eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No

Full HDMI In 
 

3
1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

1
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

1
No

Ethernet 
 

No
1

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No

Show text

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

8.4
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Yes
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Yes
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

No
Supported

DTS 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS:X 
 

No
Supported

eARC 
 

No

DTS-HD MA 
 

No
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

No

Show text

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

10
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Yes
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Yes
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS:X 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Yes
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM 
 

Yes

Show text

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS 
 

Yes
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0

Show text

Latency 
 

8.1
8.1

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

69 ms
53 ms

Optical 
 

70 ms
47 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-28 ms
-53 ms

Show text

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

0.0
6.3

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Yes

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Yes

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Yes

Show text

Wireless Playback 
 

6.0
10

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

No
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
Yes

Apple AirPlay 
 

No
Yes

Spotify Connect 
 

No
No

Show text

Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Interface photo
JBL Bar 9.1 Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Controls photo
JBL Bar 9.1 Controls photo

Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Remote photo
JBL Bar 9.1 Remote photo

Show text

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
No

Show text

Check Price

Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
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Bar 9.1
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Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
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Bar 9.1
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Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
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Bar 9.1
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Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
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Bar 9.1
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Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch

JBL Bar 9.1

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch vs JBL Bar 9.1: Main Discussion

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